Last weekend I was a vendor at the Greater Richmond Bridal show displaying my wedding photography. This is a big deal and I pride myself in my ability to talk to potential clients. I have an elaborate set up to draw clients in and an incentive with hopes that they will book with me. During this setup I was distracted by pride. I was upset about silly things that shouldn’t have mattered.Life is too short and I am blessed with so many amazing things. It wasn’t until later during our set up hours that I would realize that.

I never saw the man fall to the ground. I turned my head and he was there. It looked as if he had fallen and I called my mom who was close by. She ran him with a table cloth to put under his head. As I said before, it appeared he has fallen from his chair and was struggling to get up. I started calling 911. I remember hearing a responder pick up the phone when my mom screamed for me, “Heather, he has no pulse!”. I’m not sure what happened to my phone or the 911 call but I ran to him and began giving CPR. I was scared. Honestly, this is something I did not want to have to do to this man. I wanted him to be breathing and setting up his booth, like nothing had happened. I did chest compressions and administered rescue breaths for about 5-10 minutes before the EMTs arrived. I am thankful for the help around me, coaching me to continue. It was a moment that will sit with me forever.

It made me realize how short life is. I know I am young but this man DROPPED. His heart stopped and that could have been the end for him. All these things we get caught up in will never matter if we are faced with losing a loved on. Heck! I didn’t even know this man and the fear and love I had for him was there. All I kept thinking was if this was my mom or dad I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. If I was faced with losing them my life would mean so much less.

When the EMTs arrived I moved out of the way and my sister took me to the bathroom. I was pretty “put together” during the entire incident until I hit the bathroom. The tear just started flowing. I realized how well I had done BUT I was so scared for him. He still wasn’t breathing and I had broken three of his ribs during CPR. Thankfully the EMTs used an AED to get his heart going. He made it to the hospital! He had a long journey from there but I am happy to say that he is alive!

We had to continue with the bridal show. All the tension and fighting stopped. We would be selfish to not cherish each other in that moment. I want to say thank you to all the people involved in the show. Thank you Mom, Lindsay, and Lori for always helping me and trying to make me the best I can be. Thank you to Danielle who jumped in to help with securing Rueben during CPR. Thank you everyone! For being you. I am very humbled by what has happened and feel blessed to have such amazing people around me.